The Ming Dynasty: Starting with taking Old Zhu on a journey to the future

The following day, at the Imperial Palace.

Zhu Yuanzhang paused, his vermilion brush still in his hand, and looked up at Wang Sancai, asking, "Are you awake?"

"Your Majesty, this is the sixth time you've asked this today."

It's only noon now, and they've already asked Lan Chen about his life or death six times.

I ask him about once every half hour.

After thinking for a long time, Zhu Yuanzhang finally decided to put down his vermilion pen and slowly stand up: "Change your clothes."

Forget it, rather than waiting here in vain for news of whether Lan Chen will wake up.

We might as well go and take a look.

Come to think of it, it seems like it's been a long time since I've left the palace.

I can't remember when I last left the palace.

After changing into civilian clothes.

Zhu Yuanzhang then rode in a dragon-drawn carriage, surrounded by Imperial Guards, eunuchs, and palace maids.

They went to Jiangdong Gate, where Lan Chen was being housed.

We arrived at a courtyard.

Jiang Huan had learned of the emperor's arrival well in advance and came here to wait.

Upon seeing the emperor alight from his imperial carriage, Jiang Huan stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty."

Zhu Yuanzhang looked around at the surrounding environment, which appeared somewhat sloppy and outdated.

"Why not move them to a better room?"

"Your Majesty, the injured should not be moved without authorization. The physician gave this instruction, which is why we did not move him."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang said nothing more.

He strode into the courtyard.

They walked towards the inner room.

"Have the family members of the Jinyiwei guard who died in battle been properly taken care of?"

Jiang Huan nodded: "Everything has been settled. The compensation has been paid to his family, and he has been buried."

Before I knew it, I had entered the house.

They arrived at Lan Chen's sickbed.

The physician in charge of looking after Lan Chen prepared to pay his respects upon seeing the emperor's arrival.

But Zhu Yuanzhang stopped him, saying, "No need for that. What's his condition?"

The physician bowed his head in response.

"Your Majesty, the assassin was not very skilled in killing, and the patient's condition has begun to improve."

"Not proficient? What do you mean?"

The physician explained, "The arrows were not contaminated with feces or anything like that."

If the arrowhead gets even a little bit of feces or something similar on it, even a scratch could be fatal.

Arrow wounds and knife wounds are not terrible.

I fear arrow wounds stained with excrement, and knife wounds rusted with rust.

Nine out of ten people with this type of injury will not survive.

Another 10% are those who are physically strong and have a tough life.

"How long will it take for him to wake up?"

"It can take anywhere from three days to five or six hours."

You could sense that although Lan Chen's face was very pale, there was a hint of rosiness in the paleness.

"Take good care of her; no accidents should occur."

"Your Majesty understands."

After looking at Lan Chen, Zhu Yuanzhang turned around and prepared to return to the palace.

With Lan Yu's life no longer in danger, his anxious heart could finally find peace.

This will make handling state affairs more efficient.

Zhu Yuanzhang slowly walked onto the imperial carriage.

Before setting off in his sedan chair, Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at Jiang Huan: "How's the case progressing? Any leads on the murderer?"

Jiang Huan bowed and stepped forward.

"We have a lead. The murderer committed the crime that night and then left the capital before dawn that same morning."

"People from the Five Cities Garrison may be involved here."

"This humble servant guesses..."

Before Jiang Huan could continue speaking, Zhu Yuanzhang interrupted him.

"guess?"

Jiang Huan was slightly taken aback, realizing that she had spoken out of turn.

He immediately prostrated himself on the ground and said, "Your Majesty, I have misspoke."

Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at it sideways, his tone very calm.

"We don't want your guesses, we want you to find concrete evidence."

"Your Majesty understands. What should be done with Chen Yuan?"

"Who is Chen Yuan?" I don't really recognize the name.

Jiang Huan explained, "The commoner who led Lan Chen to Jiangdong Gate is currently unaware of the assassination attempt."

The voice just fell.

Then the emperor uttered a single, forceful word: "Kill."

Although Chen Yuan was unaware of the assassination attempt, he was still an accomplice.

Upon receiving the emperor's response, Jiang Huan nodded and said, "Yes."

Zhu Yuanzhang then waved his hand.

Wang Sancai, who was standing beside him, shouted, "Lift the sedan chair!"

Jiang Huan bowed and escorted the emperor away.

The person behind the assassination of Lan Chen, who could command the Five Cities Garrison to provide cover, must hold a high position.

After escorting the emperor's carriage away.

Jiang Huan then left the place.

They went to the Five Cities Military Command.

……

The Eastern Palace.

"Your Highness." Huang Zicheng slowly walked into Zhu Yunwen's study.

Upon hearing the sound, Zhu Yunwen looked up.

"The master is back. How did it go? Did things succeed?"

Huang Zicheng nodded: "It's done. Lan Chen was shot in the shoulder with an arrow. He has been cultivating Taoism at home for many years and his body is weak. One arrow wound is enough to kill him."

Upon receiving this news, Zhu Yunwen's eyes narrowed and his lips curled into a smile.

Lan Chen died.

Then a knot in his heart was lifted.

His path forward has been cleared of one obstacle.

Zhu Yunwen immediately bowed to Huang Zicheng and said, "Sir, you deserve great credit for this!"

"Your Highness is too kind."

"However, with Lan Chen dead, my grandfather will definitely investigate this matter. If it traces back to me..."

Lan Chen is dead.

But if the Emperor were to find out that Lan Chen's death was all because of him, it would be a great loss.

Even if the Emperor's grandfather doesn't do anything to him, his favor towards him will definitely decrease.

There are concerns about Zhu Yunwen.

Huang Zicheng smiled and said, "Your Highness, rest assured, apart from Zhu Jihuang, no one knows that we were the ones who did this."

"Even if the truth comes out, Your Highness can simply place the blame on me alone."

In short, he did everything in the name of the Crown Prince.

Zhu Yunwen knew nothing.

If the investigation really traces back to them, all that's left is for him to lose his life.

But as long as Zhu Yunwen can become emperor.

All of this was worth it.

Zhu Yunwen's expression shifted: "If the blame were to fall solely on you, you would die. Aren't you afraid?"

Upon hearing this, Huang Zicheng smiled slightly.

"As long as it can secure the position of heir apparent for the grandson of the crown prince."

"It's just one life, what's the big deal?"

"I only hope that when the Crown Prince ascends the throne, he will not forget me... that will be enough."

When I heard that Huang Zicheng was actually willing to risk his life to clear obstacles for me.

Zhu Yunwen was deeply moved.

My trust in Huang Zicheng has increased even more.

Unwavering loyalty, willing to die for the cause.

It was fortunate for him to have such loyal subjects.

"I will never forget what you have done today, sir!"

……

North City Military Command.

Dozens of Imperial Guards cleared the way and surrounded the entire North City Military Command.

Commander Mao Lei looked at the scene before him and couldn't help but feel a sense of dread.

Why did the Imperial Guards suddenly arrive?

And they even made such a fuss.

Although the Military Command was a powerful department in the capital, it was not as powerful as the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

It's nothing at all.

Jiang Huan casually placed his hand on the hilt of his embroidered spring knife at his waist and slowly walked into the military command post.

Looking at the person before him, Mao Lei, the commander of the Northern City, stepped forward: "Greetings, sir. May I ask what brings you to our Northern City Military Command?"

Jiang Huan ignored him.

He just kept looking through the things around him.

The more silent Jiang Huan remained, the more tormented Mao Lei and the others became.

As one roster after another was thrown on the ground.

Beads of sweat began to appear on the foreheads of Mao Lei and the others.

After they had almost completely ruined the interior of the North City Military Command,

Jiang Huan slowly sat down in the main seat.

Leaning on the desk, he calmly looked at Mao Lei: "What... are you so nervous about?"